Operating handle for cleaning device

ABSTRACT

An operating handle ( 1 ) for devices, particularly for cleaning devices, such as wiping devices, mops, brooms, or the like. The operating handle ( 1 ) has at least a first and a second tubular handle element ( 2, 2′ ) which are able to be joined to one another. The tubular handle elements ( 2, 2′ ) form a hollow space ( 5 ). A connecting link ( 4, 4′ ) is provided for connecting the first and the second handle element ( 2, 2′ ). The connecting link ( 4, 4′ ) extends at least partially into the hollow space ( 5 ) formed by the handle elements ( 2, 2′ ). A first connecting segment ( 6 ) and a second connecting segment ( 7 ) are provided. The first connecting segment ( 6 ) is designed to connect to the first handle element ( 2 ), and the second connecting segment ( 7 ) is designed to connect to the second handle element ( 2′ ). The first and/or second connecting segment ( 6, 7 ) has a screw-in thread ( 11, 11′ ) which is forced into engagement with connecting agents ( 8 ) arranged on the first and/or second handle element ( 2, 2′ ). The first and/or second connecting segment ( 6, 7 ) has a supporting surface ( 9, 9′ ) for resting against the inner surface ( 10 ) of the handle element ( 2, 2′ ). The screw-in thread ( 11, 11′ ) is arranged in the region of the supporting surface ( 9, 9′ ).

FILED OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a operating handle for devices,in particular cleaning devices, such as wiping devices, mops, brooms, orthe like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Two-piece operating handles per se are known. However, they aredesigned in such a way that to connect two tubular handle elements, twoconnecting links are provided. One link affixed to the first handleelement and the other link affixed to the second handle element. In thiscontext, one of the connecting links has an assembling pin with a screwthread, and the other has a corresponding thread. The disadvantage ofthis known construction is that is complicated to manufacture andconsequently expensive, particularly since two connecting links areneeded to connect two handle elements. Furthermore, the known operatinghandles lack stability at the points of connection of the individualhandle elements.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an operatinghandle that is particularly simple and inexpensive to produce andfeatures a high level of stability.

[0004] This object is achieved by an operating handle having a first anda second tubular handle element. The tubular handle elements form ahollow space. A connecting link for connecting the first and secondtubular handle elements is provided. The connecting link projects intothe hollow space formed by the handle elements. The connecting segmentis designed to connect to the first handle element and the secondconnecting segment is designed to connect to the second handle element.The first and/or second connecting segment has a screw-in thread thatcan be forced into engagement with connecting agents arranged on thefirst and/or second handle segments. The first and/or second connectingsegment has a supporting surface for resting against the inner surfaceof the handle element. The screw-in thread is arranged in the region ofthe supporting surface. In this way, a stable connection of two handleelements is achieved using a single connecting link. As a result of thesupporting surfaces resting against the inside of the handle element,forces are transferred in an especially effective manner. Since only oneconnecting link is needed to connect the two handle elements,manufacturing costs can be greatly reduced.

[0005] Advantageously, the connecting agents are designed as at leastone projection that protrudes into the hollow space formed by the handleelements. This projection can then be forced into engagement with thethread that is arranged on the connecting link in the region of thesupporting surface.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, the connecting agentsmay be designed as at least two projections that are arranged on oneimaginary, spiral connecting line. In this context, the slope of theimaginary, spiral connecting line corresponds to the thread pitch of thescrew-in thread. This construction has the advantage that themanufacturing costs can be significantly reduced since the handleelement does not require a threaded insert, nor does an expensive threadhave to be formed.

[0007] When the handle element is made of metal, it is particularly easyto form the projections in an inexpensive manner by deforming the handleelement in a point-by-point manner. These so-called prick-punchedpoints, for example, can be created on the outside of the handleelement, thereby enabling the rod material to be deformed to formprojections that jut into the hollow space formed by the handleelements.

[0008] An additional improvement is achieved by providing, in the regionbetween the first and second connecting segments, the connecting linkwith a flange that projects beyond the supporting area, from the firstand/or second connecting segment. This flange acts as a stop for thescrew-in thread and allows the screw-in thread to create a tensilestress and/or compressive stress which increases the stability in theregion of the connection between the handle element and the connectinglink.

[0009] In accordance with a preferable embodiment of the presentinvention, the connecting segments have an essentially cylindricaldesign. As a result, the connecting segment is adapted to the likewisepreferably cylindrical hollow space in the interior of the tubularhandle element. In this way, a large contact surface between thesupporting surfaces of the connecting segment and the tubular handleelements can be achieved.

[0010] Costs can be reduced even further if the connecting link has ahollow design. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting link ismade of plastic, in particular of polyamide.

[0011] A particularly inexpensive manufacturing method is also achievedin that the connecting link only has a thread in the region of the firstconnecting segment, and in that the supporting surface is formed as acylinder in the region of the second connecting segment. In this case,the second connecting segment and the second handle element can bejoined by inserting the cylindrical connecting segment into the handleend and by subsequently deforming the tubular material. This results ina friction-locked and/or form-locked connection between the handleelement and the second connecting segment. In this context, for a secureconnection, it is sufficient when the deformation is carried out in apoint-by-point manner, e.g., by creating prick-punched points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The drawings show a preferred exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The figures show:

[0013]FIG. 1: a perspective representation of an operating handleaccording to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2: a plan view of a section of the handle element accordingto the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3: a view from below of the handle element depicted in FIG. 2according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4: a plan view of a connecting link according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0017]FIG. 1 shows an operating handle 1 for devices. In particular, theoperating handle can be used for wiping devices, mops, brooms, or thelike. In this context, the operating handle 1 has a plurality of tubularhandle elements 2, 2′ which are able to be joined to one another. At theupper end, the operating handle 1 has a grip 3, which is arranged at oneend of the first handle element 2, and which terminates the first handleelement 2 in an upward direction. Although not illustrated, identicallyformed handle elements can be added at the lower end of the secondhandle element 2′. In this way, it is possible to produce acomparatively long total length of the operating handle 1 usingrelatively short handle elements 2, 2′. This is particularlyadvantageous when the operating handle 1 is to be packaged in relativelysmall packaging.

[0018] For connecting the first handle element 2 and the second handleelement 2′, a first connecting link 4 is provided. A comparable andidentically formed second connecting link 4′ is located at the lower endof the second handle element 2′. The operating handle 1 can be connectedat its lower end to cleaning devices, e.g., wiping devices, mops,brooms, or the like by the second connecting link.

[0019]FIGS. 2 through 4 illustrate how the tubular handle elements 2, 2′are connected via the connecting links 4, 4′ in more detail. The firstconnecting link 4 is designed so that it can extend at least partiallyinto a hollow space 5 formed by handle elements 2, 2′. The firstconnecting link 4 has a first connecting segment 6 and a secondconnecting segment 7. The first connecting segment 6 is designed toconnect to the first handle element 2, and the second connecting segment7 is designed to connect to the second handle element 2′. In thespecific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, both first connecting segment6 and second connecting segment 7 have a screw-in thread that can beforced into engagement with connecting agents arranged on the firstand/or second handle element. Furthermore, the first and secondconnecting segments 6, 7 have supporting surfaces 9, 9′, which arearranged and designed in such a way that they can abut against the innersurface of the first handle element 2 and the second handle element 2′,respectively. In this context, the exterior form of the supportingsurfaces 9, 9′ is adjusted in size and shape to the inner contactsurface 10 of the first and second handle elements 2, 2′, which isindicated with a dashed line. Furthermore, in the region of thesupporting surfaces 9, 9′, screw-in threads 11 and 11′ are provided.Preferably, in this context, the screw-in threads 11, 11′ only take up arelatively small part of the supporting surfaces 9, 9′. In particular,it is advantageous if the screw-in threads 11, 11′ take up less than40%, or especially less than 20%, of the supporting surfaces 9, 9′.

[0020] In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the screw-inthreads 11, 11′ are provided with a radius at the thread base and areadapted to the connecting agents 8 of the handle elements 2, 2′ in sucha way that the handle elements 2, 2′ and connecting links 4, 4′ can bescrewed together by hand.

[0021] The connecting agents 8 are designed as at least one projectionthat protrudes into the hollow space 5 of the handle element 2. In thespecific embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, four projections areprovided. However, an exceedingly effective connection between thehandle element 2 and the connecting link 4 can be achieved with just twoprojections. In this context, the projections 8 are arranged on animaginary, spiral connecting line, their thread pitch corresponding tothe thread pitch of the screw-in threads 11, 11′.

[0022] In accordance with the present exemplary embodiment, the tubularhandle elements 2, 2′ are made of metal, in particular of steel. Anysuitable material may be used, however. The projections 8 are createdthrough point-by-point deformations of the handle elements 2, 2′. Thiscan be carried out particularly inexpensively by creating prick-punchedpoints or stamped points on the outside of the handle elements 2, 2′.

[0023] In the region between the first connecting segment 6 and thesecond connecting segment 7, a circumferential flange that projectsbeyond the supporting surfaces 9, 9′ from the first and secondconnecting segments 6, 7 is provided at the connecting link 4. Theheight of the flange is designed in such a way that it corresponds to atleast the material strength of the tubular handle elements 2, 2′,thereby resulting in a continuous outer surface when the operatinghandle 1 is assembled.

[0024] The connecting segments 6, 7 are essentially cylindrical on theoutside and are hollow on the inside. The connecting links 4 are made ofplastic, particularly of polyamide.

[0025] Alternatively to the representation in FIG. 4, it is alsopossible for the connecting link 4 to have only one thread in the regionof the first connecting segment 6, and for the supporting surface 9′ tobe formed as a continuous, cylindrical surface in the region of thesecond connecting segment 7. The second connecting segment 7 and thesecond handle element 2′ are then reliably and durably connected byfirst inserting the second connecting segment 7 into the interior of thehandle elements 2, 2′ and by subsequently deforming the tubularmaterial, thereby reliably joining the connecting link 4 and the handleelement 2. These deformations can have a design similar to that of theconnecting agents 8 and can also be produced by prick-punched points orcomparable deformations of the rod material.

What is claimed is:
 1. An operating handle (1) for devices, particularly for cleaning devices, the operating handle comprising: a first and a second tubular handle element which are able to be joined to one another, the tubular handle elements forming a hollow space; a connecting link for connecting the first and the second handle element, the connecting link extending at least partially into the hollow space formed by the handle elements, the connecting link having a first connecting segment and a second connecting segment, the first connecting segment being designed to connect to the first handle element and the second connecting segment having being designed to connect to the second handle element and the first and/or second connecting segment having a screw-in thread which is forced into engagement with connecting agents arranged on the first and/or second handle element, the first and/or second connecting segment having a supporting surface for resting against an inner surface of the handle element and the screw-in thread being arranged in the region of the supporting surface.
 2. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting agents are designed as at least one projection that protrudes into the hollow space formed by the rod elements.
 3. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting agents are designed as at least two projections that are arranged on an imaginary, spiral connecting line.
 4. The operating handle according to claim 2, wherein the projections are produced through a point-by-point deformation of the handle element.
 5. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the projections are produced through a point-by-point deformation of the handle element.
 6. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the tubular handle element is made of metal.
 7. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein a flange which projects beyond the supporting surface from the first and/or second connecting segment is provided at the connecting link in the region between the first and the second connecting segments.
 8. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting segments have an essentially cylindrical design.
 9. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting link is hollow.
 10. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting link is made of plastic.
 11. The operating handle according to claim 10, wherein the plastic is polyamide.
 12. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting link only has a thread in the region of the first connecting segment, and wherein the supporting surface is formed as a cylinder in the region of the second connecting segment. 